Porthole closure latch



May 10, 1932. EARL 1,857,184-

PORTHOLE CLOSURE LATCH Filed July 16. 1929 INVENTOR DAVID G. EARL.

ATTORNEY Patented May 10, 1932 UNITED STATES DAVID G. EARR'OF LONG. BEACH, GALIFORNIA PORTHOLE oLosURr: "LATCH Application filed July 16,

This invention relates to a port hole 010- 1 sure lock particularly useful in banks, armored cars or similar places where it is necessary to protect men against bandits,

robbers or other lawless people.

An object of my invention is to provide a closure for a port hole which can not be opened from the outside.

A further object is to providea closure of 16 the character stated which can be quickly and easily opened from the inside by the barrel of the pistol or similar weapon.

Still a further object is to provide a closure of the character stated which is simple in construction, is easily operated and will not readily get out of order.

Other objects, advantages and features of invention may appear from the accompanying drawings, the subj oined detailed description and the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of my port hole closure in closed position. I

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the same in open position.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on line 33 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary, sectionalview taken on line 44 of Figure 1.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the wall 1 which may be that of a bank, armored car or the like, is provided with a port hole 2. My closure comprises a plate 3 which is bolted, welded or otherwise suitably secured to the wall 1. The plate 3 extends over the port hole 2 and is'provided with a hole 4 which co-incides with the port hole 2. A pair of vertical guide strips 5-6 areprovided on the plate 3 and are preferably integral therewith.

A shutter plate 7 is slidably mounted in the guide strips 56 and is adapted to be moved vertically so as to open and close the holes 2-,4. YVhen the plate 7 is in its lowerat 10. VA slot 11 is out through the guide most position, it rests upon stop pins 88 1949. Serial No. 378,645

strip 5 and the latch arm 9- is provided with a head 12 which extendsthrough the slot 11 and over the upper edge of the plate 7 so as to hold said plate against accidental upward movement. i I

The arm 9 normally hangs as shownv in Figure 1, due to the action of gravity, and the plate 7 is consequently locked. If it is desired to shoot through the holes 24, the operator places the muzzle of the weapon to so one side of the arm 9 and then moves the muzzle to the right and upwardly, thus swinging the arm to one side and at the same time moves the plate 7 upwardlyto expose the holes. This can all'be done with one no movement, and is quickly and easily accomplished. When the muzzle of the gun is removed from the holes 24, the plate 7 and the arm 9 drop down by gravity and the plate is locked.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A port hole closure latch comprising a plate, .means securing said plate over .the porthole, a shutter plate slidably mounted in the first named plate, and over the port hole, '15 an arm pivotally mounted in the first named plate and normally hangin vertically and a head on said arm adapte to engage the top of the shutter plate when said shutter plate is in position to close the port hole,.said 8O shutter plate and arm being urged to closed position by their weight.

2.- A port hole closure latch comprising a plate, means securing said plate over the port hole, guide strips in said plate, a shutter as plate slidably mounted in said guide'strips and adapted to open or close the port hole, a

latch arm pivotally mounted on one of said strips, said strips having a slot formed therein, and a head on said arm adapted to extend 10 through said slot and over said shutter plate when the shutter plate is in lowered position over the port hole.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

DAVID G. EARL. 

